The backbone of the cargo ferry service is the value of people-to-people contact between Maldives and India, says Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid.
FM Shahid made these remarks at an event to welcome ‘MCP Linz’ at its first port of call in the Maldives, Kulhudhuffushi City on Saturday morning.
The ferry service is the “living breathing embodiment” of the close people-to-people contact between both countries from students, to travelers, to traders.
FM Shahid highlighted that the closeness citizens of both countries share, has continued to prosper over the years.
A new road for age old friends is what we embark upon today. A new road that is so deeply rooted in our culture and our heritage. For centuries, the Maldives has been at the heart of economic trade routes in the Indian Ocean. During a time when the Maldives was the main source of cowry shells used as currency, we quite remarkably formed a friendship with our beloved neighbor that has stood the tests of time. The Maldives-India relationship continues to grow stronger and stronger.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs
The highly anticipated ferry service’s maiden voyage crossed 509 kilometers in the span of five days and docked in Kulhudhuffushi City early Saturday morning. It is expected to arrive in the capital, Malé City on September 28.
Reflecting on our treasured maritime history together, it was only natural to cultivate this connection with our closest friend, India, said Shahid.
He shed light on the anticipated boost the service will provide for the bilateral trade between the Maldives and India. and its role in helping revive the country’s economy, hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is worth noting that the recent advancements in air connectivity between the Maldives and India propelled our neighbor India to the top of the list of tourist arrivals in the Maldives. Similarly, it is our hope that the boost in sea connectivity also positively impacts the economic trade between our two countries. Since November 2018, the traditionally close, bilateral relationship between the Maldives and India has strengthened and deepened. It is the close bond and friendship shared by the leaders of both countries – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Prime Minister Modi – that remains the crucial factor in committing to a resolute Maldives-India partnership that provides us the guiding light and the courage, to work hard to deliver results, and make this partnership a successful one.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs
During his speech, FM Shahid thanked the Indian government for support in facilitating the project and offered gratitude to the high regard Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar places on the partnership between the two countries. The foreign minister also commended the High Commissioner of India Sunjay Sudhir and his team for “tireless efforts” in contributing to the success of the maiden voyage.
I would like to also take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the local stakeholders especially, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Economic Development, Maldives Ports Limited, Kulhudhuffushi Regional Port, Maldives Immigration, Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Food and Drug Authority, and Maldives State Shipping for their immeasurable work ethic in realising this monumental Ferry Service we see here today. Finally, I would like to thank the Kulhudhuffushi Council and the lovely people of Kulhudhuffushi for their display of togetherness and personal commitment in making this inauguration a wonderful and joyous occasion.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Maldives remains hopeful that the new road embarked upon encourages the constant care and support between both countries to inspire even greater journeys in the future, said the foreign minister.
Saturday’s event was joined by Members of Parliament for Kulhudhufushi Constituency Yasir Abdul Latheef, and Jamsheed Mohamed, Commissioner General of Customs, the Controller of Immigration, Managing Director of Maldives State Shipping, Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Maldives Ports Limited, and the High Commission of India in the Maldives.
The Memorandum of Understanding to establish the cargo ferry service was signed during the State Visit of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to the Maldives in June 2019. The MoU emphasized the need to improve connectivity between the two countries through the establishment of enabling infrastructure and bilateral trade and reaffirmed that dynamic people-to-people contacts form the backbone of the bilateral relationship between two countries.
